Unions hostile to Albo at WA Labor event

The second day of WA Labor's state conference was almost as tense as the first, with militant union officials refusing to stand for party leader Anthony Albanese and vote counting for a potentially embarrassing MUA-led motion taking more than two hours.

There was an atmosphere of mistrust, simmering tension and hostility after chaos erupted within the first five minutes of the event on Saturday, when members of the MUA and CFMEU walked out during a welcome to country.

They also missed a tribute to former prime minister Bob Hawke and the keynote speech by Premier Mark McGowan.

The walkout was sparked by an unsuccessful move to disqualify a delegate, who is a member of the MUA and did not meet sign-up requirements, amid fears their faction could lose motions by a single vote.

The marathon vote count on Sunday was for a motion to keep Fremantle Port operational for a further 14 years, defying a recommendation by a state government task force to build a new port at Kwinana, which was one of Labor's key election pledges.

The lengthy vote count was despite the small number of delegates and the motion was ultimately defeated by 23 votes.

While Mr Albanese received a warm welcome from many, MUA and CFMEU officials refused to join in a standing ovation and there was muttering his speech was lacklustre.